Annette Richardson Stanbery

Annette Richardson Stanbery left this world on Friday, May 19, 2023, for a garden in Heaven with no weeds to pull or sticks to pick up.

She came into this world on Feb. 24, 1935, to Raymond Richardson and Cloyce Weatherly Richardson in Falkner, Mississippi. Soon after, her sister, Carol (Strong), was born. Unfortunately, Raymond was killed in a traffic accident when she was 3 years old.

Mamaw (Cloyce) remarried Herman Jenkins (Papaw) and the family moved to Grand Junction. She was joined by another sister, Barbara (Fawcett). Next, she gained a brother, Jamie, and finally little sister, Ruth (Stinnet). She grew up on a farm in rural southwest Tennessee surrounded by lots of family and lots of love.

She sang in the choir of Grand Junction Methodist Church. She was a member of the Beta Club and played basketball at Grand Junction High School (all 5’ 3” of her). She studied education at Lambuth College where she was chosen Miss Lambuth College. Upon completion of her teaching certificate, she taught school in Moscow.

One day she was set up on a date by her Uncle Guy with a young dental student by the name of Cecil Henley Stanbery from Cleveland. They were married on June 16, 1957, and after Cecil graduated from dental school, they moved to Cleveland to start their life together.

Early in Dad’s practice, Annette worked as his receptionist. In 1959, William Cecil Stanbery II was born and in 1962, John Samuel Stanbery followed. Annette was very active in her new community. She joined the Cleveland Women’s Club where she worked her way through the officer’s ranks. In 1961, Annette made the most significant commitment outside of her family in her life — she joined the Magnolia Garden Club. She dedicated the rest of her life not only to Magnolia Garden Club but to the Tennessee Federation of Garden Clubs and the National Federation of Garden Clubs. She served as the Magnolia Club president, District III Tennessee director, Tennessee Federation of Garden Clubs state president, Deep South Regional director National Federation of Garden Clubs, served many years on the National Board of the NFGC and was a certified master flower show judge. She also held many offices on the local and state Federation of Republican Women.

Annette is survived by her son, Dr. William Cecil Stanbery and wife, Rose; their children, Matt Slifko and wife, Macy; their daughter, Saylor, Chad Slifko and wife, Shianne; their daughter, Addison, Cecily Stanbery-Slifko; her children, Troy and Victoria. She is survived by her son, Dr. John S. Stanbery and wife, Lisa; granddaughter, Alexandra Cecile Stanbery; and grandson, Ian Samuel Stanbery and wife, Allyson. She is also survived by her sister, Carol Richardson Strong; sister, Barbara Jenkins Fawcett and Travis Fawcett; brother, Jamie Jenkins and Jean Jenkins; sister, Ruth Jenkins Stinnett; and many nephews and nieces, Denise Fawcett Lagrange, Jay Fawcett, Elisha Jenkins Vego, Eric Jenkins, Brian Clifft, Chip Clifft, Will Aiken, Bob Aiken, Drew Aiken, Etta Aiken Morrisey.

Annette loved her family, she loved her friends, she loved her community, she loved her country and we loved her dearly.

A Remembrance of Life service will be held at 5 p.m. on Friday, May 26, 2023, at Broad Street United Methodist Church with the Rev. Micah Nicolaus, the Rev. Jerry Everly and Richard Burnette officiating.

The interment will follow at Fort Hill Cemetery with Ian Stanbery, Matthew Bryant, Chad Slifko, Matt Slifko, Cameron Doyle, Alex Stanbery and Jonathan Silvers serving as casket bearers.

The family will receive friends on Friday from 3 to 5 p.m. at the church.

Jim Rush Funeral and Cremation Services, North Ocoee Street Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.